An instrument common in all the hospitals is a stethoscope around a doctors neck. Whether its common cold or a heart disease, doctors use it to identify your problem by listening to the beating rhythm of your heart. Thanks to the advent of technology, electronic Stethoscopes come in many varieties.
Going for the best ones would make the job more efficient. It would help a doctor make the correct diagnosis for their patients. Are you confused about how to select the best ones? Dont worry. We have got you covered.
This article details the top electronic stethoscopes. You can select the Steth best suited to your needs.
5 Best Electronic Stethoscopes
To make things easier for you, we have put together a list of the five best electronic stethoscopes available in the market now.
Littman Cardiology IV Diagnostic Stethoscope – 6163
The widely popular classic brand 3M Littmans most successful model 3M Littmann Cardiology IV Diagnostic Stethoscope 6163 is the ideal Stethoscope for all doctors. It is designed especially for emergency purposes. The model is commonly suitable for cardiologists, anesthetists, and pulmonologists. It helps detect even minute changes in the patients heart. Its distinctive feature makes it unique and apt to use for the most critical or difficult situation to make a precise diagnosis. It makes this diagnostic Stethoscope the most expensive one. Additionally, to their Stethoscopes outstanding acoustic response, they contain double lumen tubing, which cancels all the unwanted outside noises.
The stethoscope chest piece is made with stainless steel with a tunable diaphragm. It makes it ideal for all doctors and physicians. Moreover, this high-quality Stethoscope comes with a dual-sided chest piece. It is used most preferably in ED, ICUs, step-down units, and any other perilous environment. The Stethoscope design is stylish and constructed in an ergonomic way to provide you with the best quality comfort. The Littmann Cardiology IV Diagnostic Stethoscope has the best performance with lots of excellent unique features. Hence assured, you wont get disappointed if you purchase this Stethoscope.
Pros
- Designed for the use of both pediatric and adult patients
- Best quality, design, and comfort with soft-sealed clarity acoustic hearing.
- Stethoscope construction is ergonomic, coming with a large chest piece of about 40% and a deeper bell which constitutes about 60% compared to the 3M Littmann Classic III stethoscope.
Cons
- Highly expensive ($380.21)
- Not the best for general physicians or medical professionals who do not require physical assessment tasks
Littmann CORE Digital Stethoscope
Another popular 3M Littmann branded model is the Littmann CORE digital Stethoscope, known for its advanced digital technology. The Stethoscope is very efficient in reducing frictional noise by combining its amplification features with Bluetooth and ambient noise reduction technology. The noise gets eliminated by 85%. The key feature of this version of the Littmanns Stethoscope is its noise cancellation features. The Stethoscope provides a unique opportunity to connect with the Eko software on any smartphone. It allows doctors to monitor and share the heart soundwaves with their patients. It also makes it easy to show the diaphragm to children as well as adults. Besides their excellent acoustic clarity, the Stethoscope is made with your comfort in mind. The ear tips are softly sealed, which would provide a comfy cushioning and act as a protective seal at the same time. The Stethoscope design is polished and looks sophisticated. The chest pieces come in two colors; black and High polish rainbow give them a sleek and elegant look. The chest pieces furthermore dual-sided and made with durable stainless-steel material. The CORE model of the Littmann stethoscope comes as one of the very sensitive and widely preferred by all medical professionals.
Pros
- Can be switched between digital and amplified analog listening modes
- Can reach 40X amplification on both the peak frequency and analog mode
- Heart soundwaves can be captured, stored, and analyzed
- Overall performance is excellent with its acoustic clarity and soft-sealed comfortable earbuds.
- Versatile performance and designed for all medical professionals
- Bell type of this models chest piece has the option of tuning in either open or closed
Cons
- Very expensive at $349.99
- Soundwaves can only be recorded and saved during particular intervals of 15,30,60, and 120 seconds
ADC – ADSCOPE 600 Cardiology Stethoscope with AFD Technology
Another cardiology stethoscope designed by the unique brand ADC offers a feature to enhance your overall acoustic performance. The model comes with an efficient adjustable frequency design (AFD) and is available in the market with free Adsoft ear tips. These are made with silicon, especially for your comfort. Its diaphragm does not get chilled and retains the rim, which also provides added comfort. The ADF technology makes the stethoscopes susceptible to high and low frequencies and is considered best for auscultation. The Stethoscope stands out for its distinctive design with its three varieties of metal finishes with tactical, gold plated, and stainless steel. The bell in the device weighs 1.1 pounds and is created with reliable acoustic performance. The device holds a double headset and is assembled in the USA, making it easier to repair. The performance of the ADSCOPE 600 model cardiology stethoscope is the best. The headset is considered the ideal Stethoscope for cardiologists due to its ability to pick up incredibly clear acoustically specific sounds.
Pros
- Designed with ADF Technology which provides optimal sound quality
- Comes in multiple colors and designs
- Highly Durable, recommended for daily use
- Made with stainless steel binaural, which picks up all kinds of frequencies
- Includes lifetime warranty for the whole set
- Ergonomic design makes the chest piece crafted with CNC machinery
Cons
- Only recommended for cardiologists and pulmonologists
- A bit pricey
3M Littmann Classic III Monitoring Stethoscope
The Classic III Monitoring Stethoscope – 5803 +40007 is the most commonly used 3M Littmann model. Widely known for its excellent acoustics features, this model, too, doesnt disappoint. The monitoring stethoscope of the Littmann is more affordable than the cardiology stethoscope of the same brand. It has a double-chest piece with a tunable diaphragm. There is a single lumen binaural construction for the sound waves to detect all the frequency sounds inside the chest piece. These models are best suitable in non-critical environments like OB/GYN, in an ambulance, medical office, general ward, or any other care facilities. It contains an open bell kept clean from debris and dirt when covered by a small diaphragm. The product is safe with the tubing made of good quality materials instead of rubber or phthalate plastic. The tubing is made with alcohol, oil, and stain removal, making the Stethoscope tube durable. The diaphragm is tunable and detects even mild or slight changes in the sounds to ensure an accurate reading. The model is overall versatile and can be used by all health medical professionals.
Pros
- Dual lumen in the model provides better sound quality
- Contains two-sided chest pieces which both adults and pediatric patients can use
- Diaphragm is very clean and is free of any dirt or debris
- Available in multiple colors and designs
- Comes at a more affordable price compared to other Littmann models
Cons
- Tubing is susceptible to breakage due to prolonged use and exposure to skin of doctors
- Size is vast, which can make the patients and their users more uncomfortable
MDF MD One Stainless Steel Dual Head Stethoscope
Known for itss stylish and elegant designs, the MDF brands MD one stainless steel Dual Head Stethoscope comes with looking its best methods, including a Rose gold finish. The piece is handcrafted and hands polished to provide the best premium quality. Moreover, the delicate handmade chest piece and silicone ear tips add to the charm of the product. The headset comes with dual-leaf spring construction, which is patented and contains a safety lock. Its PVC tubing is dense, thick, and not susceptible to latex, making it non-sticky and dirt resistant. It furthermore enhances the quality of the product. The tubing also makes exquisite sound quality. The Stethoscope makeup is made so that the tubing makes it easier to hear both high and low frequencies. If you are looking for a good stethoscope with stylish functions, you sure would love this one.
Pros
- Dual-leaf construction makes it comfortable and simple to usage
- Durable
- PVC tube is thicker and can last longer
- Designed ergonomically with the best sophisticated crafting that finely complements its smooth finish
- Quite affordable
Cons
- One tube alone attached to the bell, which can cause a hindrance for the physicians when they diagnose the patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are a few of the most popular questions people commonly ask about stethoscopes.
How To Clean My Stethoscope?
Utmost care should be taken while cleaning the stethoscopes. Most of the dirt goes away by just washing it with soap and water. However, the ideal solution would be to clean it with 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes. You can add some bleaching solution to remove adverse stains if the tubes do not exhibit an intense color like red. However, this must be done carefully so that the solution does not enter the stethoscope and harm it.
Does Engraving In The Stethoscopes Make It Invalid For The Warranty?
Generally, the engraving does not interfere with the products warranty from the stethoscopes. It does affect because engraving does not cause any damage to the product.
What Is A Cardiology Stethoscope? Is It Needed?
Cardiology stethoscopes essentially can get differentiated from the normal ones by the Stethoscope having dual lumen tubes. When this happens, the sound channel is enhanced. The sound is then carried from the chest piece to each ear. It will make the airflow in the ear drums transmissions sound stronger. Thus, it is needed to give better quality sound in a cardiologists case who needs to listen to the slight changes in the frequencies.
Does The Stethoscope Need To Be Turned On?
The Stethoscope does not need any separate machine to turn it on as it contains metal. There is a tunable diaphragm that makes the heart sounds waves reach your ears. The sound is detected as soon as the chest piece is kept on the patient.
Does The Stethoscope Expire?
Yes, It is recommended to replace the Stethoscope once every two years to ensure better health and efficient sound quality. Since the stethoscopes are susceptible to daily wear and tear or detriment in the quality of the instrument makes it necessary to replace it.
Conclusion
The Stethoscope is one of the most essential tools used in all hospitals to listen to the patients heartbeats and look for any abnormality in the heart or lungs. Therefore, all doctors, to identify problems and diagnose them correctly, need to use stethoscopes. The best stethoscope aids the doctor or physician in identifying the patients problem correctly. So, go ahead and buy the Steth of your choice.
Last Updated on June 3, 2021
John Erick
John Erick is a national advocate for people with disabilities. John has written and blogged to help people with disabilities get the best life possible.
A disability can happen at any time, so he wants to be prepared! He also writes about his experiences living with cerebral palsy and hopes that his writing will inspire others who are disabled or know someone who is disabled.